Common Problems

Low Rate of Distillate Generation

• The heating tubes or the condenser piping are fouled from the inside, and they need to be cleaned.
• Hot water temperature and or flow rate are low and need to be increased by the operator.
• The cooling water flow rate may be low and needs to be increased according to the given specifications.

Dropping of Evaporation Temperature

• The temperature of hot water is low and needs to be increased to the specified level.
• The hot water flow rate is low and needs to be increased to the specified level.

The vacuum obtained in the evaporator has dropped

• There is an air leak present in the system which should be repaired and then tested at 0.05 MPa to make sure regular operation has been restored.

Malfunctioning of Water Ejector

• The nozzle of the ejector has closed partially or fully and needs to be cleaned
• The diffuser has worn out, or corrosion has taken place. It has to be replaced by a new one
• The nozzle has been worn out and needs to be replaced by a spare.
• The pressure at the outlet of the ejector is at 0.08 MPa or higher.
• The ejector outlet piping may be clogged and needs to be checked and corrected. The valve opening of the overboard discharge valve needs to be checked and repaired.
• The pressure at the outlet of the ejector is negative; the overboard discharge valve should be closed up to a certain degree.

The distillate is present in the Sight Glass

• This may indicate the failure of the Distillate pump. It should be repaired.
• The outlet valve of the Distillate pump is in the closed position and hence needs to be opened.
• The outlet piping is clogged and needs to be cleaned
• The pump is drawing in air, and the mechanical seal needs to be replaced.

High Salinity of the Distillate

• The rate of generation of the distillate is too high and needs to be decreased by lowering the hot water flow rate.
• The temperature of evaporation is low (50 degrees or such). The vacuum adjustment valve needs to be closed to an extent such that the evaporating temperature increases.
• The Freshwater Generator has been used in an area where the feed water is dirty and needs to be stopped.
• The reading of the salinity indicator is faulty and has to be checked using the indicator test switch; the electrode needs to be cleaned.
• The piping of the condenser has been damaged and needs to be plugged inappropriately.

Low Feed Water Rate

• The opening of the feed water adjusts valve is not sufficient and needs to be adjusted accordingly to increase the rate of feedwater entering the system.
• The feed water orifice may be clogged, and its surface needs to be cleaned. There is insufficient internal pressure in the condenser piping and the condenser cooling water outlet valve needs to be closed to an extent.

High Feed Water Rate

• The feed water adjusts valve has a very large opening and needs to be closed sufficiently.
• The feed water orifice has been worn and needs to be replaced

For Advanced Read, check out: